Blow-out preventer for oil wells



Jamfi, 1931. cv c. HOSMER 1,788,057

BLOW'OUT PREVENTER FOR OIL WELLS Filed Nov. 14,. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l D E/E/V 7*0 62 557279 CI #0 J/VEI Jan. 6, 19310 c. c. HOSMER 7 BLOW-OUT PREVENTER FOR OIL WELLS Filed Nov. 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet the casing,

Patented 6, ,1931

cnnsran 0. 30am, or .rgoiwe amen; cumoama snow-our rmivnnrua roe on. WELLS Application filed November 14, 1928. Serial No. 819,280.

My invention relates to oil well appliances and more particularly to a packing element that is adapted to be applied to the upper ends or heads of oil well casings for preventing 5 blow-outs and which latter, it will bejunderstood, frequently occur as a result of .abnormal gas and oil pressures. "l f i The principal objects of my invention are to generally improve upon and simplify the 1 existing forms of blow-out prevente'rs, to provide a device of the character referred to that is relatively simple in construction inexpensive. of manufacture, and which may bereadily shifted into position to pack off the head of and further to provide a blow-out preventer having a packin member that is capable of being easil an quickly shifted into position around t e drill tube and then moved upwardly or downwardly onto a seat within the housing of the device so as to produce an effective pressure-proofjoint between the tube and well casing'and thereby preventing the troublesome and dangerous gas and oil blow-outs that frequently occur during 2 the drilling andpperations of oil wells.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that-will hereinafter' be more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through the center of a bl wout'preventer embodying the principles of inyinvention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectlon taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa side elevational view of the blowout preventer. I f

- Fi 4 is a detail section of a modified form of the bowl or collar having a'n internally arranged seat for the packing element.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the center of a duplex bowl or collar having upper and lower seats and chambers for the packing element. a

Fig.6 is a vertical section of a bowl or collar that maybe arranged on the lower wall of the housing of the device for receiving the packing element.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the packing element utilized in my improved blowout I preventer and looking against the underside thereof.

Fig. Sis a side elevational view of the form of packing element that is utilized for packing a must the upper or lower seat.

,Re erring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a ractical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates a hollow box-like housing, preferably formed of metal,

that forms the bodyof the blowout preventer, and detachably secured to the underside of said housing, preferably by means .of bolts 11, is a plate. 12. 4

Formed integral with the top plate of the housing 10 adjacent to one end thereof is an upwardly projecting collar or flange 13 that is internally threaded for thereception of the externally threaded lower portion of a bowl Forme I d in the lower portion of the bowl is a shortvertically disposed cylindrical chamber 15 for the accommodation of the packing element, chamber and formed at the upper end of said is a tapered seat or shoulder ,16

against which the upper end of the packing element engages when said packing element occupies through of suflicient size to accommodate the coupling the chamber 15." The opening 17 the upper portion of the bowl 14 is members and tools carried by the drill tube 18.

Formed integral withand depending from the end face of plate 12 in vertical alinement with the lar 19 th flange or collar 13 is a flange or colat is internally threaded for the reception of the externally threaded upper end of the well casing 20. An opening 21 is formed through the bottom of plate 1.2,- which opening is concentric with the flange or co l 0 lar 19, and the diameter" of thisfopening is such as to permit free movement therethrough of the joint members, connections and tools carried by the drill pipe 18.

Arranged for sliding movement upper face of. plate 12 to one side of the ing 21 is the type tion for 1923, $1.

on the open a packing element 22, preferably of disclosed in my copending applica- U. S. Letters Patent filed August 30,

No. 660,145. Said packing element comprises upper and lower split metallic rings and a split compressible or elastic ring 23 arranged between said metal rings. The

two parts of this packing element are hinged 5 to each other by a vertically disposed hinged pin 24, and where this form of packer is utilized in my improved blowout preventer this hinge pin is extended downwardly for a short distance below the under face of the element, as designated by 25.

face of the packing element and on opposite sides of the split or opening therein are'short pins or lugs 26. The upper corner of the upper end of the metal rings forming a part of the packing element is beveled or cut away to form an inclined shoulder 27 that is adapted to engage upon the inclined seat 16 within the bowl 14 when the packing element is applied to the drill rod.

- Formed in the upper face of bottom plate 12 and extending outwardly in line with the center of theopening 21 is a slot 28 that is adapted to be traversed by the projecting 25 lower end 25 of the hinge pin 24 when the packing element is moved backwardly and forwardly within the housing of the blowout preventer, and formed in the upper surface of the bottom plate 12 to the sides of this 4 centrally arranged slot 28 are slots 29 that diverge as they approach the opening 21.

Parallel shoulders 30 are formed on the 2 inside of the forward ends of the diverging slots 29 and which shoulders terminate at approximately diametrically opposite points above the opening 21 in bottom plate 12.

The means utilized for forcing the packing element forwardly through the housing into engagement with the drill tube 18 includes a plate 31 that is mounted for sliding movement on to 1 of r the bottom behind said pac ing element, an which plate is carried by the inner end of a piston rod 32, which latter extends outwardly end of housing 10, and said piston rod extending into a cylinder 34 that is suitably connected to the rear end of housing' lO andsaid rod Within cylinder carrying a small piston 35.

Hydraulic pressure connections 36 are made to the cylinder 34 in order to admit pressure thereto for the purpose of moving the piston and its rod, backwardly and forwardly. Obviouslythe rod 32 may be reciprocated in any suitable manner, for instance through the use of a rack and pinion or 31 quick-acting screw.

The ::1'earward or outward movement of plate '31 is limited by stop lugs 31a that pro ect upwardly fromplate. 12 behind said plate 3.1.

Under normal conditions the packing. element 22 occupies a position within the hori- 35 zontal offset or to one side of the vertical Projecting downwardly from the under the drill tube and t (plate 12 through a gland or stufling box 33 in the rear usages? openings through which the drill tube 18 operates, such position of the packing element being illustrated by solid lines in Figs. 1 and 2. When so positioned the packing element is in closed position and the depending pins 25 and 26 occupy the slots 28 and 29.

I In the event that the well that is equipped with my improved blowout preventer shows indications of a blowout, fluid pressure is admitted to cylinder 34 behind the piston 35 therein and as a result piston rod 32 carrying plate 31 is moved forwardly in the housing, thereby correspondin ly moving the packing element 22. As the pins 26 that depend from said packing element pass into the diverging portions ofthe grooves 29 said packing element will be open -and its hinged sections spread apart as it approaches the drill tube 18 so that said drill tube is received between the parts of the packing element before the pins 26 pass beyond the ends of the shoulders the diverging'portions of the slots 29. As

"the pins 26 pass off the forward ends of the shoulders 30 the resiliency of the intermediate elastic compressible member 23 will close the par-ts of the packing element about the drill tube 18 and the latter is now drawn upward a short distance until the packer occupies the chamber 15 within bowl 14 with the beveled face 27 resting upon beveled seat 16.

Thus a practically fluid pressure tight joint is produced by the packing element between e housing and the pressure of the gas or oil that enters the housing from the casing 20 will be exerted against the under face of the packing element to comres's the interposed elastic member 23, therey maintaining a fluid pressuretight joint. When the head of the casing is packed off as just described, the gas or oil under pressure that rises within the casing 20 may be taken off through suitable-outlet connections 38 that lead outwardly from the housing 10 and which outlets are equipped with suitable control, valves. In order to wash out mud or the like that may enter the housing through casing 20, water or steam under pressure may be de- Y livered into the chamber within the housing through a pi e 39 that enters the top of said housing, prefdrably at a point above the packing element when the same position. 7 I

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of the bowl 14 that receives the packing element and in this construction said bowl is provided. with a horizontally disposed flange is in its normal.

14a that is securedbn top of housing. 10 by ing to close said packing-element about the member after the same has and formed in the upper portion of said bowl is a chamber 15b provided at its lower end with a tapered seat 166. 7

Where this form of bowl is utilized a packing element may be applied to the drill rod 181) within the chamber 15?), which packing element bears a ainst the tapered seat 16?) and thus the pair ing may be eilected by utilizing the weight of the drill tube and parts carried thereby upon the packing element located within the upper chamber 155. 1

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a bowl 40 that is screw seated in the bottom plate 12 and which bowl receives the threaded upper end of the casing 20. Formed in the upper portion of this bowl is a cylindrical chamber 41 for the rece tion of a packing element and formed at t e lower end of said chamber is a tapered shoulder 42 that receives a correspondingly ta' ered shoulder on the lower,

end of the pac ing element when the same is positionedwithin chamber 41 and shoulder 42. Where .this form of bowl is utilized the packin off is brought about by the application of t 1e weight of the drill tube to the packingelement positioned within chamber 41.: i

In Fig. 8 I ha e shown a packingelement provided at both its upper and lower outer edges with inclined or beveled shoulders 43, and which shoulders are ada ted to engage against corresponding shoul ers within the} bowls utilized iriconnection with myimproved blowout preventer.

The preferred-form of packing element utilized in my improved blowout preventer isof the self-closing type, the closing action being brought about by the resiliency of the compressible member that is arranged tween the-upper and lower metal rings, but

in-order to insure the'closingbof the packing een opened by the movement of the pins 26 in the diverging grooves 29 the adjacent end of the chamber within the housing is provided with a semicircular f ace 45' that is concentric with-the openings the; top and bottom of the housing so that when i the packing element is moved into position to encircle the drill tube theopen ends of the packing element will strike against the curved face, thereby tenddrill tube.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a blowout preventer that is; relatively simple in construction, ineiqiensive of manufacture, and which maybe easily and quickly manipulated to provide a fluid pressure tight joint between the upper end or head of the casing and the drill tube that passes therethrough, thus preventing the dangerous and objectionable blowouts that frequently occur as a result ofexcessive gas and oil pressures arising of the head of the cas- :upon t tion rangcd'for. movement within the housing,

toward' the drill tube.

ing from the well through the casing that is positioned within the well hole.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved blowout pre- 1. In a blowout preventer for oil v vells'ya housing adapted to be applied to the upper 1 end of the well casing, said housing being provided with openings fort-he accommodation of the drill tube, a two part hinged packing element arranged for lateral sliding movement within the housing and adapted to encircle the drill pipe passing therethrough,

and a seat adapted to be engaged by said packing element when the same is positioned e drill pipe. A

2. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, :1 housing adapted tobe applied to the upper end of thewell casing, saidhousing being provided with openings for the accommodation of'the drill tube, a two-part hinged packing element arranged for lateral sliding movement within the housing to one side of the openings therein and adapted to encircle the drill pipe passing therethrough, a seat adapted to be engaged by said packing element when the same is positioned upon the drill pipe, and means for movingsaid packing element into engagement with the drill pipe passing through said housing.

3. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a

housing adapted to be applied to the upper end of thewell-Icasing, said housing being rovided with openings for the accommoda iton of the drill tube, a packing element arranged for 'movement within the housing, said" element comprising parts that are hinged to each other, and means for causing the hinged parts of saidpacking element to swing open for the reception of the drill tule when said element is moved toward said tu e.

4. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a housino' adapted to-be applied to the upper end 0 the well casing, said housing being provided with openings for the accommodaof the drill tube, a packing element arsaid element comprising parts that are hinged to each other, means for causingthe hinged parts of *said paokin element to swing open for-the reception '0 the drill tube when said element is moved toward said tube, and means forlfmoving said packing element ,5. In a blowout preventer housing ada ted to be secured to the uppgr ortion of t e well casing, said housing mgprovided with an opening for the ac-v for oil wells, v a

- adapted to receive the 6. In a blowout preventer for oilwells, a

housing adapted to be secured tothempgzr portion of the well'casing, said housing ing provided with'an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube that enters said casing, a hinged packing member arranged for sliding movement within the housing and adapted when moved toward the drill tube to encircle the same, there being a chamber within the housing for the accommodation ofthe packing member when the same is applied to the drill tube, a seat at the end of ment within said'housing and-adapted when saiddrill tu e.

'said chamber, which seat is ada ted to receive the packing member when t e same 00- cupies said cha mber, and means for moving said packin member mto engagement with 7. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a housing adapted to be applied to the up er portion of the well casing,'said housing eing provided with an openin for the accom- .modation of the drill tube, a owl carried by said housin and arranged in the opening for the drill'tu e, said bowl'being rovided with housing adaptedto be applied to the upper portion of a well casing said housing being provided with an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube, a two-part hinged packingmember arranged for movement within said housing and adapted when moved toward said drill tube to encircle the same, a bowl arranged on the housing around the opening therethrough for the reception of the packing member when the same isposis tioned on the drill tube, and outlets leading from said housing.

11. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a Housing-adapted to be applied-to the upper portion of a well casing, said housing. being provided with an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube, a two-part hinged packing member arranged for movement moved toward said drill tubeto encircle the same, a bowl arranged on the housing around the opening therethrou h for the reception of the packin member w en the same is positioned on t e drill tube, and a fluid pressure supply pipe leading to,saidhousing.

12. The combination with an oil well casing', of a housing connected to said casing, which housing is provided with an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube that a chamber and a seat for pac ing memben passes through said casing, and a hinged and a packing member arranged for movemoved toward the drill tube to eriircle the "same and to occupy the chamber wi hin the bowl when moved vertically with the engaged drill pipe.

8. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a housing adapted to be applied to the upper portion of the well casing,- said housing belng provided with an openin for the accommodation of thedrill tube, a owl carried by said housing and arranged in the opening for the drill tube, said bowl being provided with a chamber and a seat for a packingmember, a packing member arranged for movement within said housing andadapted when moved towardthe drill tube to encircle the same and to occupy the chamber within the bowl when moved vertically with the engaged drill pipe, and means for moving said packing member into engagement with said drill 1pe.

9. n a blowout preventer for oil wells, a

"housing adapted to be applied to the upper ,member arranged for sliding movement within'saidhousin and adapted when moved toward the dril pipe to open to receive said drill pipe andthen close so as to encircle said drillpi e. I 1

13. l he combination an oil well casing, of a housing connecte to, said casing,

which housing is provided with" an o ning for the accommodation of the drill tu e that passes through said casing, a' hinged member within said housing and adapted when arranged for sliding movement within said housing and adapted when moved toward the. I

drill pipe to open to receive said drill pipe and then close so as to encircle said drill pipe, and said housing being provided with a chamber and seat for the accommodation of said packing member when the same is positioned upon the drill tube. 14. The combination with an oil well casing, of a housing connected to said casing, which housing is provided with an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube that passes through said casing, a hinged member arranged for sliding movement Within said housing and adapted when moved toward the drill pipe to open to receive said drill pipe and then close so as to encircle said drill pipe, said housing being provided with a chamber and seat for the accommodation of said packing member when the, same is positioned upon the drill tube, and means for moving said packing member toward and into-engagement with said drill tube.

15. Ina blowout preventer for oil wells, a housing adapted to be connected 'to the upper portion of the well casing, said housing havin' an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube, a packing element arranged for movement within said housing and normally positioned to the side of the drill tube open.- lng, means for opening the'packing element as it is moved toward the drill tube, and means for-causing said packing element to close about the drill tube.

16. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a housing adapted to be'connected to the upper end of the well casing, said housing having an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube, apacking element arranged for lateral sliding movement bodily within the housing and adapted to encircle the drill pipe passing therethrough, and said housing beingprovided with a wash-out connection. I

17. In a blowout preventer for oil wells,'a housing, means for connecting the same to the upper portion of the well casing, said housing being provided with openings for the accom modation of the drill tube, and a packing element arranged for lateral sliding movement.

bodily within said housing and adapted to encircle the drill pipe passing therethrou h.

18. In a blowout preventer for oil we a housing adapted to be applied to the upper portion of the well casing, said housing. having an opening for the accommodation of the drill tube, a packing-element arran d for lateral sliding movement bodily wit 'n the housing and adapted to encircle the drill pipe passing therethrough, and both ends of which acking element are. rovided with tapered aces that are adapte to engage correspond-- ing seats within the housing.

19. In a blowout preventer for oil wells, a

housing adapted to be applied to the upper rtion of the well casing, said housing havmg an opening for-the accommodation of the drill tube, a bowl connected to said housing.

concentric with the drill tube opening therein, a pacln'ng element arranged for lateral sliding movement bodily within the housing and a apted to encircle the drill tube passing therethrough, and which acking element is ada ted tomccuEy said gowl to provide a flui ressure-tig andd i'ill tube. r In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature.

A CHESTER C. HOS R.

t joint between the housing 

